Iran's Jewish Community in Photos

Jews in Iran

Jewish prayer manuals, written in Hebrew, are stacked at this Jewish Synagogue in central Tehran, Iran.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

Jewish prayer manuals, written in Hebrew, are stacked at this Jewish Synagogue in central Tehran, Iran.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A worshipper carries a cylinder containing Torah scrolls. The scrolls, kept under lock at the front of the synagogue, are taken out on for special occasions, including the first of every month, for special prayers.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A closeup of the Teffilin. Tiny scrolls containing verses of the Torah are contained inside.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A worshipper wears a Tefillin, a cube containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, on his forehead. Observant Jews wear the Tefilin during morning prayers.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A sign on the wall teaches the congregation how to correctly wear the Tefillin.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A worshipper wraps the leather straps of the Tefillin around his arm, as he gets ready to perform morning prayers. The injunction comes from an Old Testament verse ordering Jews to remember the words of God by tying then "on your hand as a sign. They should be on your forehead as a symbol."

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

An elderly congregant gets ready for morning prayers.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

The synagogue's prayer leader leads the group in a communal prayer chant. The presence of Jews in Iran dates back to the 6th century B.C.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A Jewish menorah adorns the prayer altar at this Iranian Jewish synagogue. Tehran's Jewish Committee estimates there are between 25,000 and 35,000 Jews living in Iran today.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

This Jewish sidoor, or prayer manual, is printed in both Hebrew and Persian. Many of the congregants at this Tehran synagogue speak Hebrew fluently.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A sign on the wall shows worshippers the timings of their daily prayers. Many mosques have similar signs.

Muhammad Lila/ABC News

Jews in Iran

A worshipper prepared to don the Tallit, or prayer shawl, during morning service.